54 Below Launches 'WBGO Jazz Series', 4/2-5/14

The 54 Below WBGO Jazz Series will feature weekly Tuesday evening shows by jazz artists curated by the famed veteran Jazz programmer, Todd Barkan. Just around the corner from Swing Street, these seasoned jazz performers come to Broadway's Nightclub to play and sing the night away in grand style. The series is sponsored by the WBGO, the country's premier jazz radio station, promising a truly classic only-in-New York experience.

After more than half a century in the spotlight (she debuted in 1947 with Dizzy Gillespie's big band), jazz singer and pianist Barbara Carroll has earned a reputation as one of America's greatest interpreters of American standards- "the first girl ever to play bebop piano." For two special performances, Ms. Carroll and her quartet reunite with the talented Ken Peplowski, a virtuosic clarinetist, sax player and charismatic entertainer who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years. A former member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Ken has collaborated with Benny Goodman, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, and more.

Tuesday, April 16 at 7PM and 9PM

Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet

NEA Jazz Master and nine time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold innovative drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras and a discography that includes 36 titles. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie's generation, music was a vehicle out of El Barrio. A true powerhouse known for his astute arranging skills and historic compositions, Mr. Palmieri continues to thrill audiences across the globe with his legendary style. The Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet features Eddie Palmieri (leader, piano), Jose Claussell (timbales), Vicente "Little Johnny" Rivero (congas), Luques Curtis (bass), Orlando Vega (bongos), Louis Fouche (alto saxophone), and JoNathan Powell (trumpet).

Nightsongs will feature songs from Janis Siegel's brand new, soon-to-be released Palmetto CD, a delicious, nocturnal blend of jazz, Cuban and Brazilian grooves guaranteed to put you in the mood. Featuring a band of some of New York's most extraordinary and versatile musicians led by pianist John DiMartino, this ten-time Grammy-winning vocalist will premiere new songs as well as old favorites, and as always, some fresh surprises.

Sing! Sing! Sing! features an all-star lineup directed by Ken Peplowski, reinventing clarinetist Benny Goodman's legendary Carnegie Hall Concert 75 years ago on January 16, 1938. That famous concert marked a momentous occasion of jazz crossing from the clubs to the highbrow realm of concert music (as well as being notable as one of the first public concerts featuring a racially integrated lineup). The show featured a host of stars including Goodman regulars Lionel Hampton and Gene Krupa as well as Buck Clayton, Johnny Hodges, Walter Page, Lester Young, Harry Carney, and FrEddie Green. This show's director, Ken Peplowski, is a virtuosic clarinetist and sax player and charismatic entertainer who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years. A former member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Ken has collaborated with Benny Goodman, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, and more.

Tuesday, June 25 at 7PM and 9PM

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT WITH THE AARON DIEHL TRIO (6/25)

Celebrating her highly anticipated debut release, WomanChild (Mack Avenue, May 2013), the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition Winner,CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT, has the critics raving! "Ifanyone can extend the lineage of the Big Three - Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald - it is this 23-year-old virtuoso," says New York Times, Stephen Holden. In the aftermath of McLorin Salvant's triumph at the Monk Competition, the jazz world eagerly awaited the winner's first US recording. Answering that call with WomanChild, McLorin Salvant draws on songs spanning three centuries of American music. "I like to choose songs that are a little unknown or have been recorded very few times," she notes. "While these songs aren't recognized as standards, many should be because they are so beautifully crafted." The evening will feature label mate Aaron Diehl on piano with his Trio featuring Paul Sikivie on bass and Rodney Green on drums.

There is a $25 - $35 cover charge, and a $15 food and beverage minimum for the above WBGO Jazz Series event. To purchase tickets visit www.54Below.com or call (866) 468-7619.

The series continues with a special week-long engagement featuring Doc Severinson and Jonathan Tunick: May 28 - June 1 at 7PM and 9PM (Tues. - Thurs. at 7PM & 9:30PM, Fri. & Sat. at 7PM & 11PM)

Two of music's most acclaimed artists join forces with a sprawling 14-piece big band for what is certain to be the cabaret highlight of the spring. For ten special performances only, join the multiple award-winning former bandleader of The Tonight Show and Broadway's premier orchestrator, the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy & Tony Award-winner behind some of Broadway's most enduring scores, for an evening of tunes ranging from unique interpretations of the Great American Songbook to some of the most memorable tunes of the Great White Way. Joining the festivities is special guest vocalist Rebecca Faulkenberry, taking a break from her onstage duties at Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Severinsen (making his first NYC club appearance in more than 50 years) on trumpet, fourteen of Broadway's world-class musicians, and Tunick with clarinet at the ready and baton in hand - what could be more thrilling? There is a $65 - $115 cover charge, and a $25 food and beverage minimum.

Grab a prime seat in your favorite armchair for a special concert featuring one of today's most popular jazz and R&B singers -- two-time Grammy nominee Gregory Porter -- in a live broadcast on Sunday, April 14, from 12:30 - 1:30 pm on WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM or www.wbgo.org. Hosted by WBGO's Michael Bourne, the concert will be broadcast live from 54 Below, Broadway's Nightclub, at a private event to celebrate and thank the station's Jazz Leadership Society members.

Taking the stage at 54 Below, one of New York's most beautiful and sophisticated venues, Gregory Porter will perform music from his latest CD, Be Good, which was so good that it earned him a Grammy nomination this year for "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for the song "Real Good Hands." The coveted award would have looked mighty nice on Gregory's mantle; but, alas, Beyonce took it home for her "Love on Top." Porter will also share music from his debut CD, Water, which received a 2011 Grammy nomination for "Best Jazz Vocal Album." Gregory is not only a dynamic vocalist and songwriter, he is also an accomplished actor, who was a member of the original cast of the Broadway show, It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues.

Whether jazz lovers are in their homes, in their cars or at the private party, it is a perfect way to introduce listeners to 54 Below while enjoying America's classical music with WBGO, the country's premier jazz radio station.